[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 100 (Friday, May 23, 2003)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 28119-28121]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-12836]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2003-NM-124-AD; Amendment 39-13159; AD 2003-10-14]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A319-131, -132, and -133; 
A320-232 and -233; and A321-231 Series Airplanes; Equipped With 
International Aero Engines (IAE) V2500-A5 Series Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that 
is applicable to all Airbus Model A319-131, -132, and -133; A320-232 
and -233; and A321-231 series airplanes; equipped with International 
Aero Engines (IAE) V2500-A5 series engines. This action requires 
revising the airplane flight manual to incorporate new procedures to 
follow in the event of an oil filter clog message. This action is 
necessary to require the flightcrew to follow the procedures necessary 
to prevent smoke caused by an oil filter clog from entering the cabin 
during flight. This action is intended to address the identified unsafe 
condition.

DATES: Effective June 9, 2003.
    Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or 
before June 23, 2003.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 2003-NM-124-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., 
Renton, Washington 98055-4056. Comments may be inspected at this 
location between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, except 
Federal holidays. Comments may be submitted via fax to (425) 227-1232. 
Comments may also be sent via the Internet using the following address: 
[email protected]. Comments sent via the Internet must contain 
``Docket No. 2003-NM-124-AD'' in the subject line and need not be 
submitted in triplicate. Comments sent via fax or the Internet as 
attached electronic files must be formatted in Microsoft Word 97 or 
2000 or ASCII text.
    Information pertaining to this amendment may be examined at the 
FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, Rules Docket, 1601 Lind Avenue, 
SW., Renton, Washington.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tim Dulin, Aerospace Engineer, 
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 
227-2141; fax (425) 227-1149.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FAA has received a report of a recent 
incident of dense smoke in the cabin on an Airbus Model A319 series 
airplane that resulted in an emergency landing. The smoke rapidly 
filled the cabin and cockpit, reducing the visibility to the point that 
the flightcrew had difficulty seeing the instruments. Investigation 
revealed that the smoke was caused by the failure of the number 3 
bearing on an International Aero Engines (IAE) V2500-A5 series engine, 
resulting in oil being ingested into the cabin air conditioning system 
through the engine high pressure compressor. The ``ENG 1 Oil Filter 
Clog'' message appeared on the electronic centralized aircraft 
monitoring (ECAM) display about 10-15 minutes prior to the smoke 
filling the cabin; however, there is currently no pilot action 
associated with this message. In-service reports have shown that the 
``oil filter clog'' message is frequently a symptom of engine bearing 
damage that could potentially lead to smoke entering the cabin through 
the air conditioning pack on the affected side. This condition, if not 
corrected, could reduce the flightcrew's ability to see and

[[Page 28120]]

result in the flightcrew having difficulty in controlling the airplane 
while applying smoke removal procedures.

U.S. Type Certification of the Airplane

    This airplane model is manufactured in France and is type 
certificated for operation in the United States under the provisions of 
section 21.29 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.29) and 
the applicable bilateral airworthiness agreement.

Explanation of Requirements of Rule

    Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to 
exist or develop on other airplanes of the same type design registered 
in the United States, this AD is being issued to require the flightcrew 
to follow the procedures necessary to prevent smoke caused by an oil 
filter clog from entering the cabin during flight. This AD requires 
revising the airplane flight manual to incorporate new procedures to 
follow in the event of an oil filter clog message.

Interim Action

    We consider this AD interim action. If final action is later 
identified, we may consider further rulemaking then.

Changes to 14 CFR Part 39/Effect on the AD

    On July 10, 2002, the FAA issued a new version of 14 CFR part 39 
(67 FR 47997, July 22, 2002), which governs the FAA's airworthiness 
directives system. The regulation now includes material that relates to 
altered products, special flight permits, and alternative methods of 
compliance (AMOC). Because we have now included this material in part 
39, only the office authorized to approve AMOCs is defined in each 
individual AD.

Determination of Rule's Effective Date

    Since a situation exists that requires the immediate adoption of 
this regulation, it is found that notice and opportunity for prior 
public comment hereon are impracticable, and that good cause exists for 
making this amendment effective in less than 30 days.

Comments Invited

    Although this action is in the form of a final rule that involves 
requirements affecting flight safety and, thus, was not preceded by 
notice and an opportunity for public comment, comments are invited on 
this rule. Interested persons are invited to comment on this rule by 
submitting such written data, views, or arguments as they may desire. 
Communications shall identify the Rules Docket number and be submitted 
in triplicate to the address specified under the caption ADDRESSES. All 
communications received on or before the closing date for comments will 
be considered, and this rule may be amended in light of the comments 
received. Factual information that supports the commenter's ideas and 
suggestions is extremely helpful in evaluating the effectiveness of the 
AD action and determining whether additional rulemaking action would be 
needed.
    Submit comments using the following format:
    [sbull] Organize comments issue-by-issue. For example, discuss a 
request to change the compliance time and a request to change the 
service bulletin reference as two separate issues.
    [sbull] For each issue, state what specific change to the AD is 
being requested.
    [sbull] Include justification (e.g., reasons or data) for each 
request.
    Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the rule that might 
suggest a need to modify the rule. All comments submitted will be 
available, both before and after the closing date for comments, in the 
Rules Docket for examination by interested persons. A report that 
summarizes each FAA-public contact concerned with the substance of this 
AD will be filed in the Rules Docket.
    Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments 
submitted in response to this rule must submit a self-addressed, 
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments 
to Docket Number 2003-NM-124-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped 
and returned to the commenter.

Regulatory Impact

    The regulations adopted herein will not have a substantial direct 
effect on the States, on the relationship between the national 
Government and the States, or on the distribution of power and 
responsibilities among the various levels of government. Therefore, it 
is determined that this final rule does not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132.
    The FAA has determined that this regulation is an emergency 
regulation that must be issued immediately to correct an unsafe 
condition in aircraft, and that it is not a ``significant regulatory 
action'' under Executive Order 12866. It has been determined further 
that this action involves an emergency regulation under DOT Regulatory 
Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979). If it is 
determined that this emergency regulation otherwise would be 
significant under DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures, a final 
regulatory evaluation will be prepared and placed in the Rules Docket. 
A copy of it, if filed, may be obtained from the Rules Docket at the 
location provided under the caption ADDRESSES.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

0
Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends part 39 of 
the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) as follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

0
1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.


Sec.  39.13  [Amended]

0
2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new airworthiness 
directive:

2003-10-14 Airbus: Amendment 39-13159. Docket 2003-NM-124-AD.

    Applicability: All Airbus Model A319-131, -132, and -133; A320-
232 and -233; and A321-231 series airplanes; certificated in any 
category; equipped with International Aero Engines (IAE) V2500-A5 
series engines.
    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To require the flightcrew to follow the procedures necessary to 
prevent smoke caused by an oil filter clog from entering the cabin 
during flight, accomplish the following:

Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) Revision

    (a) Within 7 days after the effective date of this AD, revise 
the Limitations section of the Airbus A318/319/320/321 AFM to 
include the following statements (this may be accomplished by 
inserting a copy of this AD into the AFM):

Procedure for Oil Filter Clog ECAM Caution

    The ECAM does not require any pilot action in case of ENG 1(2) 
OIL FILTER CLOG ECAM warning.
    However, to minimize the risk of air conditioning system 
contamination by oil fumes, systematically apply the following 
procedure in any event of oil filter clog:

Eng 1(2) Oil Filter Clog

    In-service reports have shown that this ECAM warning is 
frequently a symptom of engine bearing damage that could potentially 
lead to smoke entering the cabin via the pack of the affected side. 
This procedure aims to avoid air conditioning smoke, while 
continuing normal engine operation.
    Eng Bleed (affected side)--Off.

(Prevents possible bleed contamination by engine oil.)


[[Page 28121]]


    Pack (affected side)--Off.

(Switching off one pack enables the remaining pack to operate at 120 
percent without any risk of remaining bleed misbehavior. Keep the 
pack on in case of an MEL dispatch with one pack inoperative.
    The pack that has been switched off remains available with the 
crossbleed valve open. Therefore, switch it on in case of a 
subsequent independent malfunction affecting the operating pack.)

    Crossbleed--Open.

(Opening the crossbleed valve enables the wing anti-ice to be used 
when needed.)

    Closely Monitor Engine Parameters for Surge/Stall, Oil Pressure 
Fluctuations, or Abnormal Engine Vibrations; and, When Necessary, 
Apply the Associated Procedure.
    If, after the oil filter clog, the engine experiences or has 
already experienced a surge/stall possibly accompanied by a yaw-
effect on the aircraft:
    Eng (Affected) Thrust Lever--Idle.

(Reducing the thrust of the affected engine minimizes further damage 
to the engine rotary machinery, but will not necessarily prevent 
more oil from entering the gas path.
    Maintain engine at idle, and consider engine shutdown if high 
vibration occurs or oil quantity/oil pressure drops low.)

    Oil Filter Clog ECAM warnings occurring on the ground during 
engine start are frequently due to low oil viscosity and may be 
self-recoverable. In the event of an Oil Filter Clog warning during 
engine start, please refer to FCOM 3.02.70 page 2.''

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (b) In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, the Manager, International 
Branch, ANM-116, FAA, is authorized to approve alternative methods 
of compliance for this AD.

Effective Date

    (c) This amendment becomes effective on June 9, 2003.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on May 16, 2003.
Vi L. Lipski,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 03-12836 Filed 5-22-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P